Karole Armitage

On Thursday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m., renowned dancer and choreographer Karole Armitage will talk about her career at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

Armitage, who grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, is internationally known for her synthesis of punk rock culture with modern dance and ballet styles, earning her the nickname “Punk Ballerina.” Through her brilliant 36-year career, Armitage has created dances for numerous companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, White Oak Dance Project, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, Lyon Opera Ballet, the Washington Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the Rambert Dance Company.

Her artist collaboration list is equally impressive as she has worked with the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jeff Koons, Christian Lacroix, and Brice Marden.

In 2004, after several years overseas with MaggioDanza in Italy and Ballet de Lorraine in France, Armitage made a triumphant return to New York. In 2005, she launched Armitage Gone! Dance in an unprecedented three-week season with a premiere at the Duke on 42nd Street Theater in New York. That season was followed by commissioned pieces for Works and Process at the Guggenheim Museum as well as performances in Italy, France, Mexico, and tours throughout the United States.

Armitage’s presentation is co-sponsored by the Kansas City Ballet. Admission is free. Click here or call 816.701.3407 to RSVP. A 6 p.m. reception precedes the event. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage located at 10th and Baltimore.